Wall-surface protector



March 10, F. TOMBLER 1,796,226

WALL SURFA GE PROTECTOR Filed March 11, 1927 1400A [TO/1451.62

.{ffarrreg/ Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES LAURA F. TOMBLER, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA WALL-SURFACE PROTECTOR Application filed March 11, 1927.

- This invention relates to wall fixture attachments, and the primary object is to provide means, of an efficient, practical and simple nature, for preventing the soiling of walls around a wall fixture such as an electric light switch plate. Further and more specific objects will be disclosed in the course of the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

showing the application thereto of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation about as on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of the protector shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing more particularly and by reference characters A designates a wall, in which is secured a switch box B, hav- 10 ing switch buttons C. A switch plate D is suitably secured over the box, as by screws E, and is provided with holes through which the buttons C project. The parts A-E are of common and well known construction, and while I have illustrated a typical switch assembly, there are other forms with which my invention may be used with the same effect. It is universally known that the wall about a switch plate frequently becomes soiled, and thus detracts from the appearance of the wall. This soiling is difficult to prevent, under ordinary circumstances, because it is the natural result of groping about in the dark, which must frequently be done, before the 35 person can locate the buttons and thus secure light in the room. Even if the hands are not particularly unclean the effect is the same, because the repeated contact of the fingers, which may often be moist, with the wall about 40 the switch plate will invariably leave its mark, in time.

If the wall is decorated, as by painting or tinting an attempt to refinish the soiled area onl is unsatisfactory because it is bound to ma e the surface look patchy, and if the wall is papere'd it has the same effect, because a patch of new paper is never the same shade as the old paper, which has hung for some time and thus become slightly bleached or soiled from the light and atmospheric conditions- Fig. 1 is an elevation of a switch plate,

Serial No. 174,661.

Consequently it is usually necessary to re finish the entire room, becauseof this C0111- paratively small soiled area of the wall, and obviously results in considerable expense in doing so.

To overcome the above mentioned difliculties, and to give added years of usefulness to the life of the original wall surface, I provide a panel or plaque P, the same beingv of an area which is considerably greater than 0 the area of the switch plate D. This panel has a central opening 4, which is preferably rectangular and is smaller than the plate D so that it will project under, and be secured by the latteragainst the wall, the hole 4' being large enough to freely accommodate-the buttons C. The panel is also provided with holes 5, to receive the screws E. The-panel shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is normally fiat, but is provided, about its edges with an inturned flange 6, with a result that when the central portion of panel is secured against the wall by the plate D, it will be slightly concave and the flange 6 will be tightly held against the wall surface. This will overcome any tendency, which the edge of the panel may have, to curl or warp outwardly from the wall. The panel Q, shown in Fig. 3, is perfectly flat, although its edges are beveled so as to add to its appearance.

The panel may be made of metal, wood, cardboard, or, if so desired, of transparent or translucent material such as celluloid, and may also have its surface provided with an ornamental design or configuration. When properly treated, it may also be washable and of a substantially permanent nature, but is preferably made of comparatively cheap material so that it may readily be replaced by a new and clean panel as occasion may require.

It is understood that suitable modifications may be made in the general design and structural details of the invention as herein shown, provided, however, that said modifications come within the spirit and scope of the ap- 9 pended claims.

Having now therefore fully shown and described my invention, what I claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a fixture plate,

of a panel 'ada'pted'to be secured by said plate against'a wall, said panel belng stiff-enough to retain its position against the wall and beplate and ing substantially largerthan the; plate so as to serve-as a protector for the wall area; about the plate.

2. A device for protecting; the wall surface about a switch plate, comprisingaipanel having; exposed face: surface which is substantially greater than the surface of thewplate,

said? panel" being secured inplace by said" being of "stiif material whereby it a will retain close-contact with the wall.

3.. A- device for protecting the wall surface about a switch plate, comprising a panel of stiff material secured between the plate and the wall, said panel. being substantially larger than the plate and having itsv outer edge beveled toward the wall.

4". .A device for protecting the wall surface abouta switch plate, comprising a panel. of

stiff material adapted to be secured between the plate and thewall, said panel having a, central opening whiclrissmaller than the plate.

5. A abouta switch plate, comprising a panel of stiifI-material adapted to be secured between the plate and the wall; said panel being provided about its outer edge with a back turned flange, whereby theflange will be yieldingly pressed against the wall when the plate is secured.

In testimony whereof I afiix my'signature.

. LAIIRA F. TOMBLER devicefor protecting the wall surface 

